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About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en... (More)

About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and environment pioneer, macrobiotic, Master Cleanser, ayurvedic, and officially-designated health-nut or party-girl (depending on the year). Professionally, I've worn many industry hats including: line cook, corporate chef, Food Coach, caterer, product developer, restaurant reviewer, culinary school teacher, corporate wellness educator, food co-op clerk, author, and even Cirque-du-Soleil lead popcorn concessioner! For years I managed an outdoor kitchen, deep in the bear-infested woods of Tahoe, and also for hospitals (the most unhealthy kitchen I ever worked in?), Singapore high-rises, mule-pack trips, Canadian catholic rectories, and more events than I could ever recall. Yet I still keep discovering. Actually, I adapt everyday by new lessons learned from teachers, customers and students. However there is one food truth I now hold sacrosanct: Eaters are motivated by pleasure. So no matter what we discuss here - recipes or restaurants, food politics or pairings, local events, food as art, or even as God, I will always come from a high-vibe, party perspective. Oh I do still long to change the world with great tasting food, but know in my heart, "If it ain't fun, it don't get done!" So - wanna come to the Food Party? By the way - it's a potluck. (Hide)

The Dude Abides

Uploaded: Apr 15, 2014

This past weekend, my friends N and B hosted The Big Lebowski Party. Have you seen the movie? Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, aka The Dude, an unemployed, Los Angelean pothead whose life gets tangled up with kidnapers, nihilists and millionaires. It's a crazy, ransomed-woman hunt, and revenge-of-the-slacker masterpiece, where we gain an odd attraction for the least motivated among us. Dude philosophy is something like "less stress and more fun." Bum or brilliant?

Released in 1998, writers & directors Joel and Ethan Coen assembled a terrific cast including John Goodman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, and Steve Buscemi; characters who wild the ride yet take us nowhere. But it's fun and funny and even has a movie menu! (did someone say Food Party!?) We washed down White Russians (Dude's drink) and did half time at In & Out Burger in Mountain View (Dude's dinner). I am not a regular, but finally ordered like one. "Animal-style please, extra everything." (vegetarian burger + beef when no one's looking).

At the end of a crazy mystery movie where everyone is taking advantage of everyone, we see Lebowski walk away with this line;

"The Dude abides."

What do you think that meant? My friend E said "survives," but I'm leaning to something bigger. It was his money grabby, self-absorbed co-characters, wondering where their next payback was coming from, who survived. The Dude however?.. lingers on, with presence. Kind of hangs in our midst or psyche, reminding to slow down and stop being so Silicon Valley important, or at least consider the possibility.

Taking more time this year for fun, food, and friends. Distraction or noble goal?

Posted by Sweet Lou,
a resident of Bailey Park,
on Apr 16, 2014 at 9:49 am

I always thought the line was likening him to something bigger than or maybe just set apart from the forces around him. He's always able to be who he is on his own terms in an unapologetic way; like a redwood tree continuing to be a redwood tree through the raging winter storms, peaceful spring days, or sweltering summer heat. It simply abides.

Posted by BroIL,
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood,
on Apr 18, 2014 at 7:13 am

In the movie's context, I interpret it to mean that the Dude has a personal code, a set of personal standards that he follows in his life journey. Despite all of the activity in the movie, the twists and curves and danger and happiness, despite it all, in the end, he continues true to his code as he sallies forth. "The Dude abides"...

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